What I Know I know how to light a campfire with only wood, a pocketknife, and one match. I ake the thin pieces of wood and my knife and cut a hefty handful of shavings. I leave them in a neat pile. Then I take the normal pieces of wood and build a log cabin shape with them, and a smaller one inside it with twigs. I set the shavings inside the smaller “cabin” and use the rest of the slim pieces to build bridges from the shavings to all other parts of the fire. Finally, I light the match and set fire to the slim shavings, those small, flexible pieces upon which the success of the entire fire depends. Flame slowly crawls up the bridges and the logs steadily catch fire. I know what it’s like to enjoy the results of your hard work, driving the cold of a windy night off and away. I know what it’s like to do this with nine or ten other guys my age, above, and below. I know what it is to feel the brotherhood of shared positive experiences. I know what it’s like to teach this firemaking skill to a younger Scout, teaching him something that may save his life someday. I know what it’s like to be in an organization where you feel like you belong. I know what it is to be a Boy Scout.
I know how to light a campfire with only wood, a pocketknife, and one match.
I ake the thin pieces of wood and my knife and cut a hefty handful of shavings. I leave them in a neat pile. Then I take the normal pieces of wood and build a log cabin shape with them, and a smaller one inside it with twigs. I set the shavings inside the smaller “cabin” and use the rest of the slim pieces to build bridges from the shavings to all other parts of the fire.
Finally, I light the match and set fire to the slim shavings, those small, flexible pieces upon which the success of the entire fire depends.
Flame slowly crawls up the bridges and the logs steadily catch fire.
I know what it’s like to enjoy the results of your hard work, driving the cold of a windy night off and away.
I know what it’s like to do this with nine or ten other guys my age, above, and below. I know what it is to feel the brotherhood of shared positive experiences.
I know what it’s like to teach this firemaking skill to a younger Scout, teaching him something that may save his life someday.
I know what it’s like to be in an organization where you feel like you belong.
I know what it is to be a Boy Scout.